The New York Knickerbockers currently hold the 8th pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, but could they be poised to move up? With just days to go until draft night, rumors have indicated the Knicks are trying to land a top-three pick, currently owned by The Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors, and Charlotte Hornets, respectively.
Unfortunately, fulfilling that request will likely require the Knicks to give up at least one member of their promising young core.
“I continue to hear the Knicks are doing everything they can to move up — but the asking price to get in the Top 3 for a shot at LaMelo Ball may be too rich for their blood — Mitch Robinson, the No. 8 pick and either a future first rounder or RJ Barrett,” writes NBA Insider Chad Ford. “That’s a lot.”
Their newest hire, tough-nosed veteran coach Tom Thibedeau, was just one step in building a winning culture, but it won’t be enough to get them close to playoff contention. Instead, it is through the development of guys like Robinson, Barrett, and Julius Randle that this team stands their best chance of turning things around.
Trading Mitch or Barret (players with seemingly tons of potential) for an unproven prospect is obviously a huge gamble — one that the Knicks may or may not be willing to make.
The bigger question is: who are they so desperate to get? Anthony Edwards? LaMelo Ball? James Wiseman? At this point, only those in the Knicks front-office know the answer to that question.
